Gonzalez shines as minicamp closes
See if you can find Falcons owner Arthur Blank? Minicamp was open to the public on Saturday. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – The one lasting impression of the Falcons minicamp, was seeing Tony Gonzalez whizzing around the field like a youngster.
He appeared to catch everything thrown his way. On Sunday, he drove out to tip a pass that was too far in front of him. While falling to the ground, he caught the ball.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey had him run a couple of vertical routes and it doesn’t look like the 33-year-old has lost a step. (Wonder if the Hawks have called the Falcons to see if he can suit up for Game 4 on Monday. Gonzalez also played hoops at California and went to the Sweet 16 with Jason Kidd and the crew back in the day.)
“He’s everything that I’ve seen for the last nine or 10 years,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith
Falcon fan Michael "STATS" Walling (42), of Dawsonville, was excited to see new tight end Tony Gonzalez. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
said. “He’s the prototypical tight end. He can block. He can catch. He can run after the catch. He’s just a guy who’s going to make everybody on this team, offense and defense, better.
KICKING IT WITH THE BVG: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is still the loudest coach on the field.
He’s got perhaps the toughest job, but has tons of help from his assistants and Smith. Molding at least five new starters into the unit is going something we’ll keep tabs on.
POSITION OUT IN
Strong safety Lawyer Milloy Thomas DeCoud
Cornerback Dominique Foxworth Brent Grimes
Weakside LB KeithBrooking Michael Peterson
Strongside LB Michael Boley Stephen Nicholas
Nose tackle Grady Jackson Trey Lewis
BVG thinks he has enough veterans to blend in some of the young talent.
John Abraham did not practice during mini-camp. The Falcons would not say if he a surgery or medical procedure. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
He cited Erik Coleman, Michael Peterson, John Abraham and Chauncey Davis.
“We’ve got enough veteran leadership that can work out to be a great blend with the young players,” VanGorder said. “With young players . . . right now it’s kind of crucial to allow them to get comfortable.”
COMPETITION: Smith said don’t put too much stock into how the unit lined up in mini-camp. There will be plenty of competition for those starting spots. First round pick Peria Jerry could push Lewis. Chris Owens could push Grimes and William Moore could push DeCoud.
“They are competing for playing time,” VanGorder said. “That playing time could come in a lot of different forms. That doesn’t mean, just as a starter. Certainly a lot of guys are battling for starting positions. Some guys are trying to earn spots on the roster. Some guys are trying to get into the two-deep so that they can gain reps. There are a lot of dynamics involved in that.”
NO MATTER HOW IT GOES DOWN, THE DEFENSE WILL BE YOUNG: “We’re going to be young,
Trey Lews (97) had a minor scare on his first day back after two knee surgeries. He spent last season on injured reserve. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
but I still think we’ve got a good mixture,” VanGorder said. “We have a number of guys going into their third year. We played with some rookies last year, who gained some valuable experience and should improve this year.
We’ve got a good formula set up.”
MULARKEY ON THE OFFENSE: Mularkey knows that with Gonazlez on board, teams will have trouble keying on one player.
There were games last season, when teams could sellout on stopping Michael Turner or Roddy White and shut the offense down.
“It will be hard to beat down on one guy with Tony in there,” Mularkey said. “It should help the run game with him in there.”
The theme for the offense is “Get Better.”
“We want to get better, everywhere,” Mularkey said.
THE ROOKIES: Made it a point to meet all of the rookie draft choices. Real nice and intelligent group. The Garrett Reynolds kid is huge. He’s the second biggest lineman next to Tyson Clabo. Was worried about the cornerbacks — Chris Owens and William Middleton — being to small. But one Falcon scout told me “as long as they can play.” And warned not to get caught up on their height. William Moore looks like a stud, now it will just be a matter of how fast will he pick up the defense.
Well, now that mini-camp is over, did you get your football fix? Learn anything new about the rookies? Worried about the defense still? Excited about the offense?
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768 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
May 11th, 2009
11:51 am
JASON-I don’t know where this idea of Norwood being injury prone came from. It started during the Mora regime. At Miss St, he was a one man OFF and teams stacked the line of scrimmage to stop him. He had no problems getting hit or carring the load, and he did it in the country’s best football conference, the SEC, and against some of the country’s most powerful DEF’s.
So far, no HC has been able to understand how to utilize his emince talent properly. He’s been used in different ways, and rather inconsistently at times, so his overall performance would understandably be inconsistent. If used properly in our OFF, he could be a bigger, stronger, faster version of the Saints Reggie Bush. He’s definitely excelled as a kick returner. Imagine a DEF trying to cover a passing OFF formation featuring WR’s RWhite, HDouglas and MJenkins, TE TGonzalez and RB JNorwood. They’d definitely have to remove their LB’s and probably their SS. That leaves their DLine to pressure QB MRyan and that proved difficult last yr without the threat of a pass catching TE.
With the addition of TE TGonzalez, we now have the ability to pass with and on anyone. With RB MTurner, we’ve already proven we have the abiility to run with and on anyone. We’re going to have the most balanced OFF in football, which reminds me of the great Falcon OFF of the GRITS BLITZ era with RB’s WAndrews & LCain, WR’s AJenkins, WFrancis, AJackson, TE JMiller and QB SBartkoski.
Gatorzone
May 11th, 2009
11:57 am
I am eager for the season!!! The offense should be almost unstoppable. Defense will be better as well! I hope that the Birds put a MAJOR beatdown on Dallas this year!
RedandBlack
May 11th, 2009
12:02 pm
Redman stepped up two years ago in the pre season games and out played Shockley thorougly with his consistence. Later during that awful season, Redman was the starting QB and deservingly so.
Shockley plays a different style of game that offers the Falcons more speed and athleticism from the QB position. He has an arm too. Both Redman and Shockley have more game than Wilson. Much more.
Wilson will round out the bunch, but he is here for practice and not to stay. The Falcons should stick with Redman and Shockley. Right now, they are the two to develop the best should the Falcons need them. Let’s hope that they do not. Anyway, watch the pre season. Go Falcons!
Hamad Meander
May 11th, 2009
12:12 pm
D3 – thanks for the detail about the backup QB situation and it brings to light exactly what the backup QB situation is about – money. The real deal is that if Matt Ryan can’t play, it really doesn’t matter who is backing him up. The drop-off in talent would be so severe, that you could start Redman, Shockley, or Wilson and probably have very close results. The issue comes down to money – how much do you want to spend to insure you have a decent backup for Ryan. I say not much. Spend the money elsewhere (offensive line anyone?) and PROTECT Matt Ryan as best you can. That’s the best formula for success for the Falcons.
Back to the Wildcat offense – the Falcons will have no need for a gimmick offense in the redzone. The only gimmick they will need is Michael Turner bustin’ in the zone or Gonzalez catching another nice misdirection TD pass. There is NO need to waste a roster spot on anyone whose only attribute is play the Wildcat.
Phoneguy
May 11th, 2009
12:19 pm
WHEN Shockley gets playing time, He WILL flourish. Great character, Great leader, Great arm, Good legs, Great in the classroom. If Falcons keep him. He will be #2, or he will start for another team.
I know I’m a dawg homer but I promise its not affecting my outlook on him… he’s a player.
WR
May 11th, 2009
12:26 pm
Stirg, the Falcons played into January and even as just a Highschool football player I can tell you that five months is not a long time for recovery with considering the grind of a football season. If Abe had completely not shown up I would have no problem agreeing with you but the man was there and you have no idea what his offseason was like. Everyone shouts in TD we trust, we even call it the NE way, but part of the NE way is not to disclose pertinent injury information,especially in the offseason, for all we know Abe had a major surgery this offseason and its being kept underwraps, thats what good teams do. Look at Peyton Manning last year, everybody and their mom wanted to know what was going on, all Dungy would ever say is things were going well, its not that big of a deal. I respect your opinion even if I disagree, but the Abe bashing doesn’t make sense unless you have someone on the inside that we don’t know about. To help you understand, take a look at the Peria Jerry talk, the guy gets a mild knee sprain and anyone familiar with sprains know they take there time going away, now he gets to training camp, some days feel good others don’t, he’s seen limping but he’s okay,now we’re into the preseason schedule, some free agent no name is looking to make a name for himself he goes after Jerry who he has heard has a bad knee, not intentionally meaning to hurt him, but take advantage of his weakness, something awkward happens and Jerry blows out the knee,season over,we look forward to next year, why, because the injury was disclosed, would I say thats the only reason no, but it was about making a point. Don’t bash a player because you think he is taking time off, you don’t know the extent of last years injuries and you don’t know the level of recovery in the offseason, when he was the only pass rushing threat last year I bet you weren’t telling him to pull up his panties, if you don’t know, don’t assume. I trust that this coaching staff and personnel department know what there doing and I trust that Abe will do whats best for the team and his self, we all love football, but theres life after football for these players, players careers end mostly as late as 40 most are alot sooner, I’m sorry but 40 is not that old, but against doctors request and the advice of coaches and the training staff let me take part in a minicamp to appease a fan, not my team or the coaching staff that understands why I’m not participating. Whats even sadder Stirg, you made reference to Roddy White and his contract, basically saying that its okay to hold out for money but its not okay to hold out if your hurting. No you didn’t come right out and say that but it is what was implied when you say things like even Roddy White was at the minicamp considering his contract situation, last I checked he was still under contract.
RedandBlack
May 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Winning in the long run, and especially in the NFL, is money. Redman and Shockley will provide the Falcons with the best opportunity to win, should they be called upon to do so. Wilson will not compare. The QB from Virgina Tech last year gave Shockley better competition than Wilson will give Shock this year. Take that to the bank.
Yes, the Falcons will need to hit them hard and often with Turner and Gonzalez. That will open up the field to hit the wideouts downfield. The defense will need to step up to keep the Falcons on top in the end.
The offense will be potent, and if healthy, then there will no need to be catting around. When you do not have much to bring, then you have to bring what you have. That is the wildcat. Go Falcons!!
jason
May 11th, 2009
12:45 pm
Ken, appreciate your take. I just always thought Norwood was playing with some kind of nagging injury. The only way I could explain the limited touches. With Norwood as the RB in shotgun will be huge. Espescially with Gonzo at TE. Who will the opposing D take away ?
You could run the wheel route, the sprint Draw , look to Roddy, Jenkins, Gonzo, And the list goes on and on.
jason
May 11th, 2009
12:51 pm
D3 knowlegeble as always. Great opinion on DJ. I am a UGA homer TO. Just a ‘lil biased.
Sarah B
May 11th, 2009
1:07 pm
Well said WR. I agree, if you are not 100% then no need to risk anything.
D3
May 11th, 2009
1:14 pm
JJ – where you been bro’? Tried any of those recipes? I tried Lil’ Dave’s Tender Sauce Friday night and it ROCKED THE HOUSE!!! You’re exactly right on the other blogs. I peeked over MB’s article the other day and left in two seconds. Why do you think they don’t bring that trash over here anymore? Because we don’t take the bait and acknowledge their vitriolic, hate-spewing, non-sensical posts. Thus they receive no attention and go somewhere else. Glad to have you back.
dacha – what’s goin’ on my bro’? No reason to rush the season to get here when we got this amazing blog to talk intelligent football with cool fans.
wxwax – it is tons of fun to be a part of something positive, enjoyable, and ethusiastic; especially after the couple of years before that. Under TD, Smitty, Blank, & Co.s direction we have reason to be optimistic that it’ll stay that way for awhile.
Stirg – what’s up in D-Town my man? Great question on Nicholas, Peterson, etc. Peterson coming from playing MLB for so long would seem to be a natural fit at SAM with his run-stuffing abilities and Nicholas would seem a great fit at WILL, allowing him to use his mad skills to rush the passer and drop into coverage. Maybe they know something we don’t.
Sarah B. – how goes it sis? Brooking’s play was a game changer, but there were many plays that led to our defeat in that one. His is just the most memorable due to it being right at the end and such an obvious passing down. There were many others as well. Milloy got burnt twice, once by Fitzgerald on the flea flicker and when Boldin just made him look silly. Gotta admit though that the play of the game was us being ahead, getting the ball back from halftime, and Dockery jumps through the line(offsides, as they did all game) and causes that fumble that bounced right into the CB’s hands. Just one of those fluke plays, but that changed the entire make-up of the whole game. I was so P—–! Brooking was a great player for us and a rock-solid guy throughout his tenure as a Falcon. I wish him the best, but I really hate the Cowboys.
willie – lets hope for the best on P.Jerry. Smitty said “he’ll be fine” which is always good. Probably just taking precaution, rightly so.
WR – I know about too good to be true. But I think partly is that we’re just not used to having consistent success. I think we’ll be fine because we’re in good hands with TD, Smitty, Blank, & Co. I can tell you as a UGA grad and fan, that I had the same feeling when we were on the Sports Illustrated cover. The whole team believed their own BS, including the coaches. I’m gonna come up with a weekly breakdown in just a little bit, so let me know what you think.
jason – I agree on Norwood. Surely Mularkey was/is hard at work trying to figure out ways to get him the ball. I thought he had probably his best year as a pro last year, remember how he might as well not have been on the team when jack@ss Petrino was here? We have a one-two punch in Turner and Norwood, the same way they didin Jacksonville with Taylor and Jones-Drew. We just gotta re-signe Norwood. Might be tough, because I guarantee you that some team will probably offer him starters $$$. BTW, thank you for saying that about colleges for chrissake. If they want to trash UGA go to their blog or GT blog or any college blog. That’s the main reason I love this blog so much, is that it’s actually intelligent, respectful football conversations; not this my team is better, your team sucks crap.
Dennis – agreed. Love Grimes in a nickel or dime CB role, but watching Muhammed take him apart in Carolina last year was brutal.
Hamad – great to have you in the ‘Cage my man. Excellent insights, keep’em coming.
TheManMike – got to respectfully disagree my man. Shockley had a big injury at UGA and came back to win the SEC. I understand your POV b/c he hasn’t shown much on the field, but neither did Matt Cassell until he got his shot.
Zoomie – welcome in the Bird-Cage. The loyal fans/bloggers on here have made a concerted effort to be positive, respectful, and insightful. We disagree all the time, but we do it a respectful manner. Outside of actual Football, this has become one of my favorite hobbies, really an obsession.
Later boys, great stuff as always. Got some stuff up our sleeve to keep the Football Mojo going, so don’t think about taking a hiatus after the mini-camp buzz wears off.
Green Tea
May 11th, 2009
1:23 pm
Cutter, your comments on Shockley having no stats holds ZERO water. Case in point Matt Cassel. Quit acting like you know everything…
jason
May 11th, 2009
1:28 pm
Gotta get norwood resigned. I love Snelling, but he don’t have Norwood’s speed. Brown doesn’t have his size. Look for alot of youth to be served in the preseason. This is a continiuation of building depth.
Gatorzone
May 11th, 2009
1:29 pm
would love the tenders sauce recipe. I don’t know about you guys, but there just seems to be a refresing professional way the Falcons are doing everything now days. Gone are the loudmouth flash in the pan draft choices, in are the disciplined pros. Looking forward to building on 08 this year and believe this will be the year we finally break the back to back curse!
jason
May 11th, 2009
1:37 pm
Gatorzone, totally agree. there is just something about the ATL. you know, that “IT” factor. Can’t put my finger on it. Happy to say, it just doesn’t feel right. It feels really good to be a Falcon fan, now.
WR
May 11th, 2009
1:41 pm
Sarah, your a woman after my own heart, I love football, haven’t found a football loving woman as yourself which at this time I’m considering rare, but with all the love I know that at some point these players career will come to an end. At times it appears that we as fans want these players to be soldiers, but soldiers enlist knowing that they have to be willing to give their life for the cause, police officers and firemen are in the same boat.Football is for entertainment, these guys get millions of dollars to make fans happy, but as fans we sometime forget that after its all said and done these same players have to go home to a wife and a child(ren). I appreciate all the soldiers,policemen,and firemen who put their life on the line to make my life better, but as far as football, I would love for the Falcons to win a Superbowl but not at the risk of a persons’ well being,health, or life. You here stories all the time about such and such player playing with torn MCL (Rivers,SD), a broken arm or hand, torn biceps,hip flexor,sprained ankle or whatever else. If they feel they can play through the injury fine, if they don’t, they shouldn’t be chastised by us bystanders for our instant gratification. Play the game with heart, play the game with passion and dedication, chances are if your playing for those reasons you will know if you can go or not. As I said even in highschool, when your body heals faster, five months is not that much time, five months is a long time when your a kid waiting on Christmas, not when your an adult that has to play the ultimate violent sport in the United States if not the world.
gp295
May 11th, 2009
1:45 pm
On Shockley please do not trade him to N.E. will not be a good move for the NFL. Shockley sitting and learning from the one of the best in the NFL, system will fit his overall awareness of the game. He is a coach son who ran a pro style offence.
jason
May 11th, 2009
1:50 pm
gp295, ??? Please explain. Where did that come from ?
Lil'Dave
May 11th, 2009
2:24 pm
D3 – “I tried Lil’ Dave’s Tender Sauce Friday night and it ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!” Thanks for the compliment bro!
From what I saw on Saturday from camp was a very energetic Falcons football team. Kelly the undrafted free agent out of Clemson had several good catches and has great sizes. But man what a baby face. He couldve passed for the tallest 14 year old ever. Now Tony G and Ryan were clicking right away! Ryan made several good passes to Tony G to fire up the crowd watching. Sucks I didnt get to see much of the defense…they were on the opposite side of the field. And Wow what a mountain Mr. Garrett Reynolds is! He was just flat out huge! And the highlight for me was shaking Coach Smiths hand and congratulating him on winning the coach of the year. Then he processed to walk off with my Sharpie….thankfully that was after I got Tony G’s auto.
jcamp12
May 11th, 2009
2:29 pm
D-Led, Heard anything on Von Hutchins injury from last year? He is a very good defensive back that should help out this year.
jason
May 11th, 2009
2:37 pm
D3, give me a two deep on the D.
jason
May 11th, 2009
2:39 pm
D3, your opinion
Lil'Dave
May 11th, 2009
2:52 pm
Gatorzone – Here go buddy enjoy!
6 servings
1½ hours 30 min prep
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup onions, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
7 ounces chipotle chiles in adobo (or to taste)
1 cup black coffee
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2-3 lbs boneless pork loin
salt
Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan and add onion and garlic until onion is translucent.
Add chipotle peppers that have been removed from the sauce and finely chopped. BEWARE! Add only amount needed for your taste. Add to onions along with the adobe sauce.
Add coffee through Worcestershire Sauce and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate until chilled. (Can make the sauce ahead of time.).
Place pork loin in a deep bowl or large plastic Ziplock bag. Marinate for at least 12 hours up to 2 days. Turn the pork occasionally.
About 2 hours before grilling, remove pork from marinade. Bring the marinade to a boil (for a minimum of 5 minutes for food safety) until slightly thickened. Season with salt if desired or needed. Use 1/2 cup marinade to baste the pork and use remaining marinade to serve with the pork.
Heat grill to medium-hot and set pork, fat side down on grill. Turn and baste with the sauce until meat reaches an inernal temperature of 150 degrees F. (About 50 to 60 minutes depending on your grill) Careful not to overcook.
Let stand for juices to settle. Reheat sauce to serve with the meat.
Gatorzone
May 11th, 2009
2:58 pm
Thanks LilDave, I will try it soon.
jason
May 11th, 2009
2:58 pm
Looks like a ATL Falcon tailgating recipe. Yeah I printed it, Try it out this week end. Thanks Lil’Dave .
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
3:04 pm
WR, you my horse, even if you never win a race. I appreciate the rapport we have between us, that would allow us to respectfully disagree with each other and still be friends in the end.
With all that said, let the debate begin…
Isn’t that the very reason why professional athletes get paid millions of dolllars to play the game? Athletes are paid millions to withstand the rigours of an NFL season and return, the next season, as healthy as possible. I was to scholastic to be an athlete; however, I did receive my share of injuries in the military, in pick-up ball or just playing in the backyard. I’m MOST familiar with total reconstruction to the knee, ACL repair and MCL repair. I know the time it takes to get back (hell, it took me a year and I’m still not one-hundred percent). My point is, though…
You know what, WR? I just realized I need to take this up with the man himself…
I want to make an attempt to get a personal message to Mrs. John Abraham. If you’re not reading this, Mrs. Abraham, I sincerely hope that someone, in your social circle, is able to relay this message.
I’m about 7.6 million dollars (per year) from matching your salary. Which means, you probably don’t give a damn how I feel. One advantage I do have over you is, I have been a Falcon fan longer than you have been a Falcon. Considering I am older than you, I have been a Falcon loyalist all your life. So, it is because of fans like me that make you a millionaire. In essence, I’m partly your boss; at least, I’m a stock holder.
I like you, Mrs. Abraham, mostly, because of your gift; but I also like you because you’re a southern boy (albeit, South Carolina), which means you’re familiar with playing football in your GrandMa’s backyard. You remember “tackle-the-man-with-the-ball”? You remember when no one wanted to play because Big Buster Roy-D was playing and nobody could tackle the 310 pounder? Nobody would step on the field but you. You were the only one brave enough to tackle big Roy-D and, when you did, it was lights out. You don’t remember the times when you would lunge at a ball carrier and knock him into the middle of next week?
If you remember those times, Mrs. Abraham, I implore that you bring back those days. We (the players) need for you to show up. We (the Falcons) need for you to show out. We (the fans) need for you to just show us something; anything. Put on a helmet and do some jumping jacks, I don’t care. Just show the fans that you care about our concerns. If you’re injured, that’s one thing; but if you’re hurt, then dry your tears and get out there to tutor the young cats that are looking up to you. You are only as good as your last home-run (in your case, your last sack). Forget about formalities and reporting. Just imagine that you’re in your GrandMa’s backyard and Big Roy-D just called you a wuss.
WR, sorry if I stepped on your toes, buddy. Hope we can remain partners.
Nookah
May 11th, 2009
3:26 pm
Zoomie, ain’t no thing my brother, welcome. Do you honestly think I know anything more about football than you do? However, I participate just the same. The posse here is unbelievable. You make a comment that does not make sense, you are respectfully corrected and guess what? If you approach this blog with an open mind, there is so much to learn. Hey if it makes you feel better about particpating, I’m a Jamaican who lived in the ATL for 5 years, fell in love with all the home-town teams (yes I know I’m long-suffering), went back to Jamaica and now living in Canada. Now what in that background makes you think I qualify to be here more than you except the passion and the love for THE BIRDS OF PREY!?
We Jah people can make it work, come together and make it work……(Robert Nesta Marley)….It’s all good ….One Love!!!
WR, I’m with you on the Abraham thing. I’m not sure if he is hurt, coming off surgery or what but he plays an integral role in our “pressure defense”. I look at it this way. If you have a derby horse in your stable, you don’t race him every day? You keep him sharp. If he had a tough season then you make sure he is properly rested and healed so when you are ready to call on him for the next season he will respond. So let’s not get too worked up until we get all the facts. Right now we are all speculating. Don’t worry ’bout a thing…every little thing is gonna be all right!!!
Oh, not sure if anybody has reported this yet but it is reported Falcons are working on an extension for Roddy. I hope that’s accurate.
Go Falcons!!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!!
Ken Strickland
May 11th, 2009
3:26 pm
WR-this idea of Atlanta being a sorry sports town is relative. Unlike the fans in cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, Philly, Detroit etc, Atlanta fans won’t spend the time and money to consistently support a loser. We’ve definitely proven we’re more than willing to support a winner and/or a team that provvides excitement.
It’s funny, people that claim Atlanta is a poor sports town can’t seem to grasp the reality that LA can’t/won’t even support an NFL team, win or lose. When Atlanta franchises have had solid ownership, they’ve done well. The problem is the lack of consistent solid ownership. Look at the Braves success when Ted Turner owned them, then look at the teams lack of success under Corp ownership, which existed before and after Ted Turner. The same holds true for the Hawks. The Falcons had the Smith Family, a greedy, selfish and incompetent owner who’s primary concern was using the team as a tax writeoff. They had little interest in investing in making the team a consistent winner. How many FA’s can any long time Falcon fans remember them investing in, or how many of their draft picks did they invest in keeping?
After the Falcons won their division, and came within a single Drew Pearson pass play from going to the Superbowl, rather than investing in retaining the teams key players, ownership disbanded the team, including the HC LBennett and the GM, ELabaron. IT’S HARD FOR ATLANTA FANS TO BE CONSISTENT WHEN THE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN SO INCONSISTENT. Also, a large percentage of Atlanta’s population is from out of state and many bring their home state and/or city loyalities with them.
All anyone has to do is look at the support the Falcons got when we were successful/exciting under the GRITS BLITZ, the DIRTY BIRDS and MVick. Just watch the support they’ll get this season. Even though the Hawks had a losing record last yr, they got good support, especially during the playoffs. The same holds true for this yrs team, and as soon as they get adequate coaching, they’ll get better and receive even more fan support.
Sarah B
May 11th, 2009
3:31 pm
Lil’Dave – I love Adobo. It adds the best flavor to everything especially pork & chicken… that sounds like a great sauce. But I’d probably have to back off just a little on the chipolte’s. I like hot but whew that sounds really hot.
Stirg funny stuff but is only May and Id rather see him in person in September not on IR.
I used to think pulling a hammy was a wuss injury until I pulled a hammy in step class years ago, wow that sucked.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
3:32 pm
What’s the word, Nookah?
Sarah B
May 11th, 2009
3:34 pm
Nooka, today is the 28th anniversary of the Great Bob’s death and the radio station, which you can listen to on dave.fm it playing a TON of the great masters music today. Now how do you go from Jamica to Canada? Torture yourself much?
jason
May 11th, 2009
3:36 pm
In my opinion concerning JA. He should be cinditioning if anything. This mini camp is for the young players. I would like to hear that he was assting in showing the young DEs, and OLBs techniques and nuances of playing at the pro level.Paying it foward to the next generation.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my words and suggest that I’m anti-Abraham. I am far from being an Abraham-hater. I, too, think that his position with the ball club is vital. Its just that if I’m giving you a paycheck, I want you to come to work. That’s all.
FDB
May 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
Explain again why we can not see Vick as wildcat/flanker? Here is a guy on the roster already that could present a real headache for defenses. Rengotiate his contract, stipulate flanker only, and let him play. The Falcons pick up another offensive weapopn to spread the field. The coaches have to at least be considering this. Forgiveness > hate.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
3:44 pm
You know, Sarah, its funny that you would mention “Jamaicans in Canada”. Ironically, Nookah is not the first person I’ve met that did the migration. I know a number of dreads in Canada (especially Toronto, Windsor and Niagra Falls).
Funny. I think (if I had to guess) it has a lot to do with the diaspora and Underground Railroad. You should be most familiar, coming from Detroit.
Nookah
May 11th, 2009
3:56 pm
Stirg, you the man!! Thanks for the link. Ask the wife how come I ended up here. Maybe it’s a step in the plan to get to the ATL. It would be great to move next to my Birds!!!! Stranger things have happened.
Exodus, movement of Jah people…….(you know who!!!)
Go Falcons!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!.
Nuff
Sarah B
May 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
Stirg – I left the big D in ‘85. My dad had retired from Ford and I was 20 – going to EMU and they made me move to Asheville NC. Talk about B.S. I was so miserable there I bailed within 8 months to the ATL ditched the Lions and hitched my train to the Falcons and I’m never going back to the cold again.
Come on back Nookah…
Nookah
May 11th, 2009
4:19 pm
Thanks Sarah B. That would be great, working on it. After all I have a permanent visa for Falcon Nation!!!
Billy Joe Tolliver
May 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
I would be willing to sign at the league minimum to be the 2nd team QB. You guys should still have my number, give me a shout.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
Billy Joe, keep your job at Turner Field. Who else is going to work the ticket window?
Billy Joe Tolliver
May 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
Ole Bobby Hebert can handle that…I still got some ball left in me.
jason
May 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
Just thinkning, if DJ is not the answer, ATL might have to spena 5-7 pick next year for a back up QB. I’m not trying to jinx Matty Ice, but you have have someone ready just in case.
Billy Joe Tolliver
May 11th, 2009
4:38 pm
Why spend a pick when they could have me? I have already said I will sign at the league minimum. You must not remember the hail mary I threw about 20 years ago.
Joe's place Joe speaking
May 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
Where is D-Led at??!! It seems like D3 is the one answering all the questions! Or is D3 D-Led??
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 11th, 2009
4:42 pm
lol…You were funny then, Billy Joe, and you’re even funny now.
Joe, you might be onto something. D3, is that really you D.O.?
jason
May 11th, 2009
4:44 pm
Billy Jo, maybe you could also be the wedge buster on kick offs…
D3
May 11th, 2009
4:54 pm
Joe – no I’m not D-Led. Just a serious football junkie having fun with a hobby. Got a little extra time on my hands right now staying home w/ my 1 month old.
cutter
May 11th, 2009
4:57 pm
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — If you press a certain button on Ray Hamilton’s computer, you get the best of Michael Strahan and Kevin Greene. It’s all part of an attempt to get the best of Jamaal Anderson.
Hamilton is the defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons and Anderson is the top-10 draft pick from 2007 who hasn’t come anywhere close to tapping his enormous potential in his first two seasons.
That’s why Anderson has spent a large chunk of his offseason sitting in Hamilton’s office watching clips of two of the greatest pass-rushers in history. They’ve got a couple of hundred sacks between them. Anderson has just two, and those didn’t come until his second season.
“They had great usage of their hands,” Anderson said. “They always had great leverage. I’m just trying to take some of the things they did and use them to make myself a better player.”
Although many fans already have declared Anderson a bust, the Falcons haven’t. He still lined up at defensive end with the first team in the three-day minicamp that concluded Sunday. That’s a pretty strong indication that the hope is Anderson will step up and keep that position.
“Jamaal’s worked hard and he’s made progress,” coach Mike Smith said. “Unfortunately, guys often times, are judged by their draft status and that comes with the territory. But my experience here with Jamaal in one season is that we are pleased with his progress. We think he’s made huge steps from the first day that we got here and we think he will continue to do that.”
It’s nice to talk about progress, but fans want production. So do the Falcons and so does Anderson.
“This is a big year for me, no doubt,” Anderson said.
Jamaal Anderson
#98 DE
Atlanta Falcons
CAREER STATS
TACK SOLO SACK FF INT
57 50 2.0 1 0
That’s why he’s taken a much more studious approach to the offseason. Ask around Flowery Branch about Anderson and the word is that he’s spent more offseason time at the complex than just about any player.
In addition to the countless hours of watching film of Strahan and Greene, Anderson also has spent more time in the weight room than ever before. He says he’s stronger and quicker than he’s been in the past and he wants that to translate into success on the field.
There were some fan-generated rumblings about Anderson perhaps switching from defensive end to defensive tackle. That’s not happening, although Anderson will continue to move inside in sub packages, just like he did last year.
“In terms of flexibility he’s a guy that we played last year in base at defensive end and played him inside in our sub package and that probably will continue,” Smith said. “That gives you a lot of flexibility on game days.”
Anderson strongly believes he’s ready to be more productive in his third season. He understands the frustration of the fans. Heck, he’s frustrated too. That’s why he’s worked harder than ever this offseason.
“I try my hardest not to pay attention to what’s said, but it’s pretty much impossible to tune everything out,” Anderson said. “My sister’s into gossip and she tries to give me feedback that’s out there, but all I can do is trust the people who are here every day and they’re giving me positive feedback. But the fact is, I’ve become my own worst critic.”
That’s why he’s been watching so much of Strahan and Greene, and that’s why he’s spent so much time in the weight room. Anderson knows this is a make-or-break season and he wants to make it.
Wildebeast
May 11th, 2009
5:10 pm
Let’s go back to the old uniforms…Jessie Tuggle style!
jason
May 11th, 2009
5:20 pm
I would so love the traditional red jerseys